Growth and Development Services Inc

Please Help make a Difference!

Why support Growth and Development Services (GDS)?

"GDS was a huge part of my life and a huge part of who I am today... I am an art teacher and I’m a museum educator...​ it had everything to do with GDS. GDS changed my life and I'm so grateful, so grateful that I got the support that I did"

The needs for disconnected at-risk youth, in our community of Washington Heights and Upper Manhattan, are increasing while resources are decreasing. For example, the graduation rate at our local high school is 55%, 1 in 5 Latina girls have suicidal ideation, and students have extremely limited opportunities to learn.    To meet this need, GDS provides counseling, college readiness, peer leadership and arts programs to help equip teens with the tools they need to increase resiliency and develop as leaders, role models and youth advocates. 

GDS makes a huge positive impact on the teens we work with. As a result of our comprehensive approach teens report higher self esteem and improved social, leadership, and educational skills.

Your contribution can transform a life!

What We Do

GDS provides community advocacy, training, and therapeutic services to help youth and families with emotional, behavioral, educational, health, and social challenges.

Our Core Programs

• The Reach Your Potential Program provides counseling, peer leadership college readiness, career counseling, after-school groups, and summer programs. 

• The Training Institute provides internships for young advocates, aspiring youth workers and mental health professionals.  Interns receive leadership development training and hands-on experience in the most effective approaches to work with challenged youth and families.

• Community Advocacy Program is a grassroots movement ensuring the continuation of supportive services, the utilization of current resources, and creation of new programs. 

GDS empowers individuals, families and communities to Reach their Potential!

To learn more about our programs please visit www.ExcelGDS.org.

Growth and Development Services, Inc. (GDS) is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization.

All gifts and contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.